June 10, 2007 (NY Daily News / Clare Trapasso) -- Scour the Romanian countryside for vampires in time for the 110th anniversary of Bram Stoker's "Dracula." The summer version (July 10-17) of the popular Dracula Tour takes vampire hunters to several spooky Transylvania locales, including the Snagov Island grave of Vlad Tepes - aka Vlad the Impaler, the violent ruler said to have inspired the Dracula character.

February 6, 2008 (Chicago Tribune) -- Before Barack Obama entered the cutthroat world of politics, it seems he was involved in a whole other kind of blood sport: hunting vampires.

Will I allow you to drag me down?

Will I allow you to hurt me now?

Will I spend the rest of my life wondering what I did this time?

Or will I stand up and walk away?

I am worthless,

I am foolish,

I am a disgrace.

Thank you for enlightening me.

I never would have known.

My Dearest Maria,

Everyone dreams, yes you and me
We dream of lives wild and free
Full of mystical beings and more
Will it hold mystery, magic, or gore
You never can tell what a dream will be
Just close your eyes and you will see
Dreams are there to calm the soul
To mend your body, to make you whole
Dreams you dream can take you away
To dance where unicorns and pegusi play
Remember your dreams as best you can
Picture the beach and warm, golden sand
Dreams are there to set you free
Among the clouds or rippling sea